New E Grade Option

Volunteer Registrations are open for the 2018 season including the Three Day Tour.

Riders from both Combine and non-Combine clubs can nominate for volunteer duties for the 2018 Road Race Season and the 3 Day Tour. As of 12 March, we have filled about 25% of roles and very much encourage people to get in early so as to take full advantage of vol benefits.

E Grade for 2018

Racing is hard.And we like it that way.

It can be about the satisfaction of holding on when it didn’t seem possible.Or being in a break with a few people and even if it doesn’t work, you will always share that memory of pushing yourselves with your companions.How about that celebration of perseverance upon catching the peloton after you had been dropped?The best is of course is when your legs are starting to scream but realising that you are dropping large parts of the peloton.

Yes, racing is hard.We want you to get those experiences at Combine events because it feels awesome.

As the quality of cyclists keeps going up, it keeps getting harder too. Even though we run 4 grades (7 inc women), D Grade is still full of talented, fit riders.The gap between everyday road cyclists and D Grade is too large.

Bridging the gap We want to bridge the gap between us and the next group of cyclists who may love racing, but just don’t know it yet.That is why the Combine is supporting clubs to run marshalled E Grades.You can find events with E Grades indicated on the fixture – the first one is on 14 April at the Italo Trophy Race in South Gisborne.

The idea is that the host club will provide 2 experienced marshals to support the peloton.The group may start under neutral with the idea to get comfortable on the course, but it is certainly still a race.The marshals are there to answer any questions, offer guidance on things like overlapping wheels and in the case of the peloton separating, they can support multiple groups.If the marshals are in a good mood, they may even offer a little hand to assist with holding onto the peloton.This should give less seasoned racers the chance to get a go and have a good experience, instead of throwing them straight into D Grade and hoping for the best.

If you or a friend has been wondering about racing, here is an opportunity.Perhaps you went to the crits this summer but are unsure of road racing, this is a good way to get a feel for it.

First marshalled E Grade is 14 April at the Italo Trophy Race.A standard or 3 day race licence is required.